Initial steps of metastasis: cell invasion and endothelial transmigration.

ABSTRACT: Metastasis is the leading cause of cancer mortality. The metastatic cascade represents a multi-step process which includes local tumor cell invasion, entry into the vasculature followed by the exit of carcinoma cells from the circulation and colonization at the distal sites. At the earliest stage of successful cancer cell dissemination, the primary cancer adapts the secondary site of tumor colonization involving the tumor-stroma crosstalk. The migration and plasticity of cancer cells as well as the surrounding environment such as stromal and endothelial cells are mandatory. Consequently, the mechanisms of cell movement are of utmost relevance for targeted intervention of which three different types have been reported. Tumor cells can migrate either collectively, in a mesenchymal or in an a

SUBMITTER: van Zijl F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4028085 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jul-Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature